Adjustable brace



Nov. 17, 1953 E. o. HERMAN ADJUSTABLE BRACE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. 28. 1949 Nov. 17, 1953 E Q HERMAN 2,659,319

ADJUSTABLE BRACE Filed Nov. 28. 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 www lla I9 Nov. 17, 1953 E. o. HERMAN 2,659,319

ADJUSTABLE BRACE Filed Nov. 28. 1949 4 Sheet's-Sheet 3 Y/as L Nov. 17, 1953 E. o. HERMAN 2,659,319

ADJUSTABLE BRACE Filed Nov. 28. 1949 i sheets-sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

' Wii 0. /rii/*MAW m www irragwrif Patented Nov. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE BRACE Edward O. Hermann, Mill Valley, Calif. Application November 28, 1949, Serial N o. 129,832

5 Claims.

This invention relates to an adjustable brace or beam for employment in railway boxcars, van type highway trucks and the like, to brace the cargo or support platforms or decks in the boxcar or truck. It also relates to a novel type of track for supporting the braces.

In my Patents Nos. 2,354,861 entitled Cargo Brace for Freight Vehicles granted August 1, 1944, and 2,425,875 entitled "Cargo Brace granted August 19, 1947, there are shown two types of adjustable brace and (zo-operable track means for employment in freight cars, van type trucks and the like. By these means the lading can be braced against endwise shifting in the vehicle, or temporary platforms or decks can be erected to carry portions of the lading, or, when arranged in the same vertical plane, the braces subdivide the load into separate units according to the character of the commodity or destination.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of adjustable brace or beam of the general character described in my above mentioned patents.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an adjustable brace of the character described which permits closer adjustment, which has simpler and safer locking means and which is generally of simpler design and lends itself more readily to fabrication from extruded or stamped parts.

More specically, it is the object of this invention to provide a cargo bracing mechanism for freight vehicles wherein a pair of opposed horizontal beams are mounted on the opposed walls of a freight vehicle, these beams being provided with bearing` surfaces for the ends of a bracing bar and with serrations for interdigitation with mating lingers or serrations slidably mounted on the ends of the bracing member and wherein said mating lingers or serrations can be selectively moved from retracted unlocked positions to extended locked positions by spring biased lever operated toggle links cooperatively connected to said fingers.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

The invention is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary, vertical transverse section taken through a freight car showing two of the adjustable brace members of the invention in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through one end of a brace member;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken along thek line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view partly in horizontal section and partly in top plan of one end of the brace member of Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a view generally similar to that of Fig. 4 but showing the parts in different operative positions;

Fig. 6 is a View generally similar to that of Fig. 2 but showing the latch member disengaged.

Fig. '7 is a vertical longitudinal section through one end of an adjustable brace constituting another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 7 but showing the latch member disengaged;

Fig. 9 is a view partly in horizontal section and partly in top plan showing the parts in the positions of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a transverse section taken along the line IIJ- I0 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken along the line II-II of Fig. 7;

Figs. 12 and 13 are fragmentary elevational views of two different forms of track to be employed in conjunction with the brace of Fig. 7.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6 and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a freight car generally designated as I0 is illustrated in fragmentary, vertical transverse section, the said freight car having side walls I2, a floor I3, and an end wall I4. The car is also provided with the usual wooden lining I5 and the usual vertical posts I6 which serve to brace the lining I5 and to space it from the outer walls I2. Two adjustable brace members il are shown in Fig. 1, these being located in the same vertical plane but at diiTerent levels. It will be understood that any desired.

number of braces Il will be provided as necessary, as many being located at selected levels as may be required. Planks or other suitable means (not shown) may be laid over the brace members I'I to provide a horizontal deck or decks to support portions of the lading. Alternatively, planks may be laid against two or more brace members i1 arranged in a vertical plane, to subdivide the load or prevent endwise members I1 may also be used to brace or support a load directly.

Referring now more particularly to Fig.r 2, it will be seen that the wooden lining I5 is formed on both sides of the car with longitudinal grooves or channels I8, the said channels being arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the car, each pair being in the same plane and there being as many pairs as may be desired. Track provided which is preferably an extruded alumishifting. The bracel member I9 isA As is also shown in Fig. 2, each track member I9 is formed with a track 30 extending the length of the track member I9, the track being formed with an inwardly and downwardly tapering surface 3I which is spaced somewhat below the upper edge of the channel I8. rEhe track member I9 is also formed near the bottom of the channel IB with teeth or serrations 32 forming a rack and which are spaced somewhat below the track 30. As will be apparent the track 3l) and teeth 32 are spaced outwardly from the inner face of the wooden lining I5 so that these metal parts cannot come into contact with the lading.

The brace member I1 is formed by a rectangular metal hollow beam 35 and it is faced with a wood lining 36 which is fixed thereto as by means of countersunk pins 31 and 36. The beam 35 provides adequate mechanical strength and the provision of a wood lining and countersinking the assembly pins prevent contact between the lading and any metal members.

At each end of the beam 35 there is provided a metal sleeve 39 having a machined or other suitable anti-frictional interior surface to slidably receive a locking assembly 40. The locking asi.

sembly 40 comprises a main cast casing 4l of generally rectangular tubular construction and it is formed at its forward end with a hook or track engaging bearing member, lip or 4Ia to seat upon and slidably engage the track 35. At i f its rearward end the casing 4I is formed with an upstanding abutment member 42 to bear against one end of an expansion spring 43. The expansion spring 43 is received within a U-shaped retainer member 44 whose closed inner end abuts ,is

the pin 38 which thereby prevents outward displacement of the retainer. The retainer member 44 is interlocked with another U-shaped retainer member 45 which is disposed at right angles thereto, and the member 45 is recessed at 46 to receive the retainer member 44 and to interlock therewith as is illustrated in Fig. 2. As will be seen, the retainer member 45 provides an abutment surface 41 for the rear or inner end of the expansion spring 43, and the two retainer members 44 and 45 are fixed together by means of a rivet 48. At its forward or outer end the retainer member 45 is fixed to pins 31 and 31a as at 49.

It will be apparent that the expansion spring 43 will urge the locking assembly 40 outwardly thus retaining the hook 4Ia firmly in engagement with the track 30. The several parts are held in properly aligned position, and inadvertent or accidental removal of the locking assembly vv:

40 is prevented, by in-turned flanges 5| formed on the retainer 44 which bear against forward portions or Wings 50 of the abutment member 42. To disassemble the several parts, it is necessary only to remove the pins 31, 31a and 38 and F to pull out the locking assembly 40 and the sleeve 39. Assembly of the several parts is reversely and simply accomplished and the parts are xed in properly assembled relationship by means of the pins 31, 31a and 38.

A latch member is provided which, like the main casting 4I of the locking assembly 40, is itself a cast article. The latch 55 is formed at its forward end with teeth, fingers or detents 56 to mesh with the teeth 32 formed on the track member I9 (see Figs. 4 and 5). The latch E5 is bfurcated rearwardly of the teeth 55 to provide a rearwardly extending upper arm 51 and rearwardly extending lower arms 56. The latter arms 58 extend rearwardly a considerable dis tance and are guided by tracks 56a formed in theI casting 40.

The latch 55 is operated by means of a bell crank lever 59 which is bifurcated to provide upper and lower arms 69 and it is fulcrumed on a stud 6I passing through the arms 69 and re ceived in the forwardly extending arms 59 of the abutment member 42. The lever 59 is pivotally connected at 62 to one end of a link 63 the other end of which is rotatable on a pin 64 ex'- tending through and received within the arms 51 and 58 of the latch 55, thus providing a toggle joint. A torsion spring 65 is provided which fixed at 66 to a pin 61 fixed to the abutment member 42 and at 68 to the lever 59. It will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 4 and 5 that the relationship between the anchor points 6l and 68 and the axis of the pivot stud 6I are such that the spring 65 opposes movement of the lever from left to right or from right to left, thus operating to retain the latch 55 in either' the advanced, latched position shown in Fig. 4 or the retracted, unlatched position shown in Fig. 5.

To manipulate a brace I1 the latches 55 at both ends of the brace are first retracted by means of the levers 59 to the positions shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The clearance provided between the upper edge of the channel I8 and the track 39 suffices to allow insertion of the hooks la in the channels to seat them on the tracks as shown in Figs. l and 2. The hooks 4 Ia ride freely on the tracks 3D; therefore the brace I1 can be pushed longitudinally of the freight car to the desired position. Then the lever 59 will be moved counter-clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 4, thereby engaging the teeth 56 of the latches 55 with the teeth 32 of the track members I9, thus securely locking the brace I1 in selected longitudinal position. The expansion springs 43 will, of course. operate to hold the locking assembly 40 in firm locking engagement with the track 36 and thc springs 65 will operate to hold the latches 55 in firm engagement with the track teeth 32.

It will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 2 that a vertical load placed upon the braces I1 will be transmitted to the hooks 4Ia and thence to the tracks 30 while a horizontal load will be borne by the latch teeth 56 and transmitted to the track serrations 32. It will also be apparent that a displacement of hooks 4Ia from the tapered track surface 3| is prevented by the top surface of latch teeth 56 contacting the bottom surface of track 30. This clamps the locking assembly 40 securely to the track member I9 even if this track member or the posts I6 should be distorted.

Referring now to Figs. 'l to 12, and more particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment each brace or beam I1 is similarly formed of a metal channel member or hollow beam 35 of rectangular section which is lined on all four sides by means of a wood lining 36 and at each end the beam 35 is fitted with a machined sleeve 39, as in the case of the emfbodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to '6 land described hereinabove. A track member 'l5 is provided which can be fabricated by stamping as can, indeed, the operating parts of the latching and locking assembly described hereinafter.

The track lil comprises channel shaped reinforcing members l extending between posts IB and each having a longer leg ll to which is welded a track-forming channel member 18. The channel i8 is continuous the entire length of the car walls |2 and it is secured to the posts lli by any suitable means (not shown). Channel member i8 has an upright flange 'I9 to provide a track and an oppositely disposed ange 8b formed with teeth 8|.

A lockingassembly generally designated as 85 is provided, the said locking assembly comprising a locking member or track-engaging member 36 and a latching member 3l, both of which may be stamped from sheet metal of sufliciently heavy gauge or from metal plates. The locking member e5 is of generally U-shaped cross section and it comprises a top portion 53 which is slotted at Se and which terminates at its outer or forward end in a hook Si for engaging the track la. At its inner or rearward end the locking member 85 is formed with a down-turned rear portion or bracket 92 and it is also formed with side walls 93 which at their ends are integral with downwardly extending guide tabs de. The side walls 93 are also formed with flanges 9S. The latching mem-ber 87 comprises a slide member e9 which is of generally U-shaped transverse cross section and it is formed with a bottom portion 599 which is slidable on the bottom portion of the sleeve .39 and which is formed at its forward end with teeth lill for engaging the track teeth Si. The latching member 8l is also formed with upstanding, parallel side walls lez which are `formed at their rearward ends with .nanges Illia, which, together 'with the iianges 96, define a trackvvay for guiding the locking member 86 and latching member 81 in the manner described hereinafter.

A tension spring |93 is fixed at one end, at IM, to the bracket 32 and at its other end it is fixed to a loin it which extends through the entire locking assembly and the ends of which are conntersunk in the wooden lining 36 as shown in 9. It will be apparent that the tension spring lili will urge the locking member 8'c` forwardly so as to maintain the hook S! in engagenient with the track 79.

A latch is provided, such latch being constructed in two parte comprising a lever lt'l and a slide bar les, these parts being slidably connected by means of tabs Ille which are integral with the lever lill' and which slidably engage the slide bar |83. The slide bar lill? is urged rearwardly by means of a tension spring i l@ which is xed at one end to a tab integral with the lever lill and at its other end to a tab H2 integral with the slide bar Hi8. The lever lill is fulcruined on the locking member 85 by means of a shaft H3 and it is pivotally connected at l lli to the slide member 99.

It will be apparent that the tension spring lill acts to urge the slide bar |08 rearwardly or toward the right as viewed in Figs. '7 and 8. At its rearward end the slide bar |08 is formed with a notch |55 and a sloping cam surface H6 and also with a linger hold lll. At its forward or outer end the latch bar |03 is formed with an opstanding bracket l2@ having a sloping cam surface |2| and a notch |22 for engaging a latch bar |23.

The slide bar |08 is in registry with slots |24 formed in the wooden lining 3B and other fixed elements of the brace |'I and with the slot 85| in the locking member 86.

Referring now briefly to Figs. 12 and 13, the track member 'l5 shown fragmentarily in Fig. l2 is the same as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 and, as will be seen, teeth 8l are punched out of the channel 73. In the form shown in Fig. 13, holes Sla are punched instead of teeth. Both forms of track, as will be readily apparent, are easily fabricated by stamping heavy gauge sheetmetal or metal plates, thus greatly reducing manufacturing costs.

In operation, the device tions as follows:

Assuming that the latch -bar les is in the up position illustrated in Fig. 8, brace or beam il will be seated with its hooks 9| on the tracks 79 in the same manner as described above with reference to the brace Il of Figs. 1 to S. That is to say, the brace will be lifted to the selected channels I8 and the hooks 9| inserted therein and lowered so as to rest upon the tracks 19. It will be noted that the slide bar its will be latched in its up position by means of the notch |22 engaging the latch bar lill. To unlatch the slide bar |08 and lever I'l the ringer hold will be forced to the left against the force of the tension spring H0 to disengage the notch |22 from the latch bar |23, thus permitting the slide bar |08 and lever lill to swing downwardly until the notch |22 is clear of the latch bar |23. As the latch |65 continues to swing downwardly the earn surface lle will engage the end of slot 89 at |25, thus forcing the slide bar IS inwardly until the notch lib is positioned below the top portion of locking assembly 85. The slide bar les will then spring rearwardly or to the right as viewed in Figs. 7 and 9 to seat the notch H5 underneath the top portion 88, thereby latching the slide .bar |98 and the entire latch assembly El? in the forward or -latching position with the teeth lill in engagement with the track teeth 8| During movement of the locking member and the latching member 81, the flanges il@ and wie act as a moving track or guide, riding on pin |55. rThe several parts are thereby maintained in properly spaced and properly aligned relationship.

It will thus be apparent adjustable brace or beam for freight cars, van type trucks and the like is provided in two different forms. In both forms the brace is constructed inea:- pensively and the parts thereof are readily fai ricated by extrusion, casting and/or stamping operations. The several parte are readily assembled and disassembled, placement, locking latching of the brace is niple, and nnlatching unlocking for the purpose of adjusting or removing he bean. likewise an easy operation to effect.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as. dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a beam having a hollow end portion, a slide member slidably received within said end of Figs. 7 to 12 funcportion and having a track-engaging member at its outer end for slidably engaging a track, a spring disposed within said end portion bearing aga-inst the inner end of said slide member to urge it outwardly, and means encompassing and guiding said spring comprising a pair of interlocking U-shaped retainers disposed 90 apart and connected at their inner ends, one of said retainers having means at its outer end for engaging said slide member and restraining its outward movement, and pins extending between the walls of said end portions for supporting said retainers.

2. An adjustable beam or brace of the character described comprising a meta-l tubular member of extended length, a Wood lining ailixed to the exterior ci said channel, a sleeve iixed Within each end portion of the tubular channel and having an antifrictioiial interior surface, a locking member slidabie within each said sleeve and having at its outer end a track-engaging member for slidably engaging a track member, a latohing member slidable within each sleeve and having means at its outer end for engaging teeth or the like formed on said track member, lever means for opel ting the latching me .ibei, spring means disposed between said locking member and said lever and operating to hol-5. the latehing member in outward latcliing position or inward unlat-ched position, a compression spring fixed to said tubular member and bearing against the inner end of said locking member to urge it outwardly, and retainer means disposed within said tubular member comprising a spring retainer formed by a of U-shaped members each having a base and side portions, said 'Ll-shaped members being arranged 90 apart with their bases adjacent and interconnected and their side portions extending forwardly, pins extending through said tubular member and oountersunk in said wood lining for retaining said U-shaped members, one of said U-.Jnaped members being formed at its forward end with means for engaging said locking member and restraining its outward movement, said spring being encompassed by said U-shaped member.

3. Cargo bracing means for freight vehicles comprising: parallel horizontal tracks mounted on opposite walis of the vehicle; a horizontal rack associated with each of said tracks; a hollowended cargo bracing bar extending between said tracks; a lock assembly casing slidably mounted within each end of said bracing bar and protruding therefrom, the outer end of each casing being provided with a lip arranged to overlie and slide on one or" said tracks; spring means xed within each end of said bracing bar and operating on its associated casing for outwardly biasing said casing to an extended position with the lip thereof overlying one ci said tracks; a latching member slidably disposed within each casing and provided at its outer end with fingers arranged to interlock with one of said racks; a lever operated toggle linkage operatively mounted between each casing and its said latching member for sliding said latching member within its casing from a retracted unlocked position to an extended locked position; and spring means mounted on each casing and operating against its associated toggle linkage for selectively biasing its associated latchlng member to either its retracted or extended position.

4. Cargo bracing means for freight vehicles comprising: a hollow-ended cargo bracing bar; a lock assembly casing slidably mounted within each end of said bracing bar and protruding therefrom, the outer end of each casing being provided with a track engaging member; spring means xed within each end of said bracing bar and operating on its associated casing for outwardly biasing said casing to an extended position; a latching member slidably disposed within each casing and provided at its outer end with rack engaging fingers; a lever operated toggle linkage operatively mounted between each casing and its associated latching member for sliding said latching member within its casing from a retracted unlocked position to an extended locked position; and spring means mounted on each casing and operating against its associated toggle linkage for selectively biasing its associated latching member to either its retracted or extended position.

5. Cargo bracing means for freight vehicles comprising: a hollow-ended cargo bracing bar; a lock assembly casing slidably mounted within one end of said bracing bar and protruding therefrom, the outer end of said casing being provided with a track engaging member; spring means fixed within said bracing bar and operating on said casing for outwardly biasing said casing to an extended position; a latching inember slidably disposed within said casing and provided at its outer end with a rack engaging finger; a lever operated toggle linkage mounted between said casing and said latching member for sliding said latching member within said casing from a retracted unlocked position to an extended locked position; and spring means mounted on said casing and operating against said toggle linkage for selectively biasing said latching member to either its retracted or extended position.

EDWARD O. HERMANN.

References Cited in the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 848,499 Schocke Mar. 26, 1907 986,810 Dxey Mar. 14, 1911 1,179,825 Greutmann Apr. 19, 1016 1,388,819 Moriarty Aug. 23, 1921 1,733,255 Johnson Oct. 29, 1929 1,783,827 Carr Dec, 2, 1930 1,970,610 McMullen et al. Aug. 21, 1934 2,043,141 Wilmesherr June 2, 1936 2,122,959 Schari July 5, 1938 2,165,652 Reiter et al July l1, 1939 2,276,272 Harris et al. Mar. 17, 1942 2,354,861 Hermann Aug. l, 1944 2,425,875 Hermann Aug. 19, 194.7 

